Residents are invited to Lura Turner Homes’ annual Spaghetti Dinner, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, at Cross Roads United Methodist Church, 7901 N. Central Ave. All proceeds from the event will benefit the men and women who live at Lura Turner Homes for Adults with Special Needs, a nonprofit agency that has serve metro Phoenix’ s special needs community since 1965.

For years, One Camelback sat empty – a shimmering glass landmark at the corner of Central Avenue and Camelback Road. Now, in what some insiders are calling the most important residential revival in the Valley, the landmark building has a new champion and a long-awaited second life has officially begun. Kinella Capital, LLC, led by developer TK Stratton, has officially taken control of the stalled project – and Stratton says the building’s future is no longer in question.

The Phoenix Chapter of the National Charity League (NCL) will host a membership drive from Jan. 15 to March 1. NCL is a mother-daughter volunteer organization that empowers young women and fosters strong mother-daughter bonds through volunteer work, leadership development and cultural experiences. The national organization has more than 200,000 members and alumni nationwide. Last year, NCL chapters contributed nearly three million volunteer hours, benefiting over 6,000 local charities and resulting in an $87 million fiscal impact.

Students give back during holiday season In late November, Brophy’s Broncos set a new standard for giving, the school said. The 2025 record-breaking Turkey Drive raised nearly $16,000 for St. Vincent de Paul and local partners, with extra funds coming from ‘Movember’ participants. The drive culminated in a massive “Can the Man” victory, filling Principal Bopp’s office with 10 full bins of donated food.

For those looking for a healthier way to imbibe, Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen has introduced a selection of new drinks and an expanded mocktail menu with two new non-alcoholic sips. During the eatery’s Healthy Hour, offered daily from 3 to 6 p.m., guests can enjoy $3 off all mocktails and $6 off all cocktails, along with specials on select pizzas and appetizers.

The city of Phoenix is looking for volunteers to help residents with their 2025 taxes. Each year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program prepares free tax returns for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families. Free certified training is provided for basic tax prep assistance. Volunteer greeters, screeners, bilingual interpreters and site coordinators are also needed. Learn more at www.phoenix.gov/taxhelp. Those who may need assistance with their taxes may visit the Phoenix Human Resources Department website for information. Click on the “Programs and Services” link found online at www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/humanservices.html.

Wednesdays in January, Desert Botanical Garden invites children ages 3-5 and their caretakers to experience the wonder of nature through hands-on lessons that teach kids and adults how to splash, dig, climb and explore together through nature play concepts. Each week from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, the program will feature a new theme and new activities.

Area residents are invited to enjoy a vibrant celebration of Ukrainian culture at the inaugural Arizona Ukrainian Festival, which will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, 3720 W. Maryland Ave. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., attendees can experience the joy of Ukrainian dance, the melodies of traditional music, the flavors of authentic Ukrainian cuisine and the warmth of community spirit.

People calling 911 in Phoenix are hearing a new option during the initial call intake. 911 operators on both emergency and non-emergency lines will ask callers during the call, “Do you need police, fire or behavioral health?” Launched Dec. 15, this addition comes after the Phoenix City Council unanimously adopted a series of measures aimed at modernizing public safety services and expanding community-focused support.

Desert-adapted shade trees can lower cooling costs and improve air quality without using a lot of water, and SRP customers who attend an upcoming workshop can receive two free trees. Registration is now open for two SRP Free Shade Tree Program virtual workshops. The program, offered in partnership with Trees Matter, gives customers two free shade trees after they complete the free online class that teaches them how to maximize the benefits of their trees.

As part of Keep Phoenix Beautiful’s vision to create a vibrant Phoenix where each neighborhood is a healthy, beautiful place to live, the nonprofit will continue its 2025-26 season of I Recycle PHX events Saturday, Jan. 10, at Christown Spectrum Mall, 1603 W. Bethany Home Road. Enter off of Montebello (south of Bethany Home and east of the Target store).

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the City of Phoenix Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee voted to reevaluate high-capacity transit options to reach the West Valley, rather than move forward with an adjusted route for the already approved Capitol Light Rail Extension (CAPEX), which will serve as the connection between the existing downtown Phoenix line and the future I-10 West Light Rail Extension (10WEST).

Phoenix Art Museum announced the Spring 2026 lineup for Soundcheck, a new live-music series every Third Thursday of the month from 6-7 p.m. The event brings popular local and regional acts to the museum for unplugged, can’t-miss performances. Spring performances will be presented in the Dorrance Sculpture Garden, offering a stunning setting for live music with an outdoor backdrop. On Jan.

After much anticipation and in what the owners say may be the most significant restoration of a Phoenix restaurant, Durant’s Steakhouse officially reopened for dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Now owned by James Beard-nominated brothers Mike Mastro and Jeff Mastro, along with their father Dennis Mastro and longtime business partner Scott Troilo, the next chapter begins for the legendary restaurant, which opened in 1950.

As the calendar rolls from 2025 to 2026, HandsOn Greater Phoenix encourages residents to consider setting a goal to volunteer on a regular basis. Volunteering not only helps better the community, but also benefits for your own social, emotional and physical wellbeing, the nonprofit says. From a Saturday “spruce up” at Maggie’s Place (Jan. 3), work on the Pierson Street Garden (Jan.

On a bright morning in early December, a handful of Sunnyslope business owners gathered at 3A Automotive on Hatcher Road. The purpose? To give back to one of their own: Cleo Lewis of Cleo N. Lewis Ministries. The call had gone out: “ is a true gem and driving force for service in our community, leading with faith, compassion, and a heart for second chances,” a community letter read.

While every pet deserves a warm, loving forever home to start the new year, there are many pets who are not quite ready for a family to call their own. While on the road to adoption, many pets at the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) are in need of a Foster Hero to help them recover, destress or simply spend some time away from the shelter.

Glendale Union High School District WHS students give back More than 200 Washington High School students marked a special milestone by giving back to their community through a neighborhood cleanup in celebration of the school’s 70th year on the 70th day of the school year. “Their efforts reflected a strong sense of responsibility, community engagement, and Ram pride as they worked together to make a meaningful impact,” according to the district.

Sunnyslope’s O.H.S.O. & Little O’s General Manager Vinny Francini is pictured with deviled egg toast, the AZ burger and hot honey pizza. The beer is a West Coast Hoppy IPA (photo by Darryl Webb for North Central News). For Sunnyslope residents, it seems there’s always been a restaurant on Central, just south of the canal. It began as Russ’s Arbor, and through the decades has had a parade of different names and concepts.

Tucked back in a modest Sunnyslope neighborhood sits an equally modest-looking building. Designed by Bennie Gonzales & Associates and opened Jan. 5, 1969, the Acacia Branch of the Phoenix Public Library system has quietly served residents for more than 50 years. And now, the residents that it has served for so long are seeking historic status for the building. Designed to resemble burnt adobe and maintaining most of its original integrity, the library reflects the signature style of Arizona native Gonzales, whose “regionalism” style, according to Modern Phoenix, focused on “the culture, building materials, and climate of the region.” Step through the library doors and patrons are transported into a light-filled space with an airiness that defies its modest exterior.

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department announced the reopening of Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback Mountain, effective Sunday, Dec. 14. This iconic and highly visited trail is once again accessible to the public following an extended closure for critical safety and stabilization work. Echo Canyon Trail was closed in mid-October after intense storms caused significant erosion, creating unstable conditions, including three loose boulders identified along the trail.

Desert Christian Fellowship invites residents to its Traditional Worship Service with Hymns, which begins at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings, followed by a Bible Study designed for people looking for a line-by-line Bible study and a deeper dive into the scriptures, at 10 a.m. Contemporary worship is held at 10:30 a.m., and a children’s bible program is also available. In addition to other free events scheduled this month, the church will host a free senior potluck on Thursday, Jan.